Scratch Build – In Progress Project: EMU-atom-NAS, 10th Update! [17th Oct 2009]

Direct links to updates:

• 
  1st Update [13th Mar 2009]

• 
  2nd Update [15th Mar 2009]

• 
  3rd Update [16th Mar 2009]

• 
  4th Update [19th Mar 2009]

• 
  5th Update [23th Mar 2009]

• 
  6th Update [7th May 2009]

• 
  7th Update [25th May 2009]

• 
  8th Update [24th Jul 2009]

• 
  9th Update [24th Jul 2009]

• 
  10th Update [17th Oct 2009]

Hello everyone!

At home we have a server for work (apache, mysql, php...) and a lot of personal computers. Some time ago, I made a change with some network switches and I got some HDD's (x3 750GB). In my computer was not taking advantage, too much free space only for me

I decided to put a new server with lower power consumption + a Raid-5 array with the 3x 750GB hdd's. Here are the specs:

* Intel D945GCLF2 motherboard
*- Atom 330 (dualcore)
*- 2 onboard sata-II ports
*- Gigabit ethernet
* 2GB DDR2-800
* An additional PCI sata controller with Sil3114
* 3x 750GB WD "Green series"
* PSU from a POS system with active-pfc

And all this into a compact box. I found a box which I think quite adequate, it was also cheap:

A "EMU" from IKEA


And my photos:





This is the PSU, seems to be good




This is one of the most cheapest mini-itx board on the market, but pretty good for home serving or NAS purposes.


The HDD's


Fit all inside?


Putting the mobo on top of the psu.


The SATA controller sticks out of the box a little, but even with that, the box closes pretty well.


In the next post, will begin machining the box

 

1st update.

First lines before cutting:








I make a little hole with a punch to guide the drill.




Drilled:


Let's start with the dremel!


Testing the steel surface, oh, a bit burned.








Do you see the sparks?


It's me! Ma..., cmd_








Woha, psu entered at first!


Ports bay cutted.


Lots of barbs.


Some sanding applyed.




Testing the mobo on the hole, uhmm pretty well.








Now it's time to make a motherboard tray or something...




























Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.... Do not think on other things when have to drill.

 

sweet, i wasn't aware that the new dual core atom boards had 1Gb ethernet! awesome!

 

Are you going to cover this hole with a dummy screw? ie cut most of the screw off and epoxy the head into the hole and voila, no one but us bit-tech'ers will ever know.

But other than a hole in the wrong place this looks amazing, especially with the great use of simple materials.

 

This is a great idea! I will try to fix it with that method.

 

What is this cutting plate?Some special?How long you can use it?How many cutting you do with it?
Sry my English

 

It's a diamond wheel 545, a bit expensive accesory from dremel (arround 15-20€). It may be used much more time than the traditional wheel, it pretty good with materials like steel, but not with aluminium.

 

looks very cool, would like to build my own nas but don't really have to need for one just yet

 

Gigabit ethernet??? Whow, nice. Gonna use that board in my server

And i'm with Mankz!

 

Yeah, all the job is done by ICH7 + Realtek 8111C GbE, it's one of the reasons that made me to decide for this board.

 

Hi, I made a test to see the best position for the hds into the box. I don't worry about the hdd temperature. The separation between hdd's is a bit more than 5mm, similar to the lian-li Pc-65 drive rack (5 hdd) that I have. In the Pc-65, this disks do not reach much more than ~35ºC without any fan.

My main concern are the sata cables, because they must not make much pression onto the box's wall in order to avoid excessive vibrations.

 

if i could make a recommendation, something you could do would be to have the SATA cables run outside the box and just sleeve them to keep them looking clean. And have them re-enter the box a little distance down the wall. Of course this doesnt make it 100% contained but if you see what i'm talking about you could still make it look really clean and avoid having to bend the SATA cables which aren't the most sturdy connection imo...

but one question, what PSU is that? could you send me a link to where you got it from?

 

like what you are doing good job

 

For the first point it looks like he's using 90degree sata cables for the HDDs and search for mini ATX Power Supply for the PSU.

 

I really like the look of this - that fit is fantastic.

 

ohhhh, good call mate that completely slipped my mind

and yeah i've done some searching i just was curious what that particular PSU was for comparison purposes.

 

that is tight
but seriously, it looks good...
cant wait for it to be finished..

Q: are you doing anything in the line of I/O panel?

 

Thanks , and yes, here comes:

2nd Update!

I put an aluminum profile to fill the spaces between the motherboard ports and the box, that helps in adding robustness.































in the next post I will put other profile.

 

so i guess ill ask again... but what kind of PSU is that?